“The standard of an advanced country is based on not only its economic ability but also its power to protect minority groups, especially those who are mentally unstable.”
Chief Commissioner Ahn Kyong-Hwan of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK), the Commission’s standing commissioners Choi Young-Ae and Kim Ho-Jun and some 10 officials visited the Maeumsarang Hospital in Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk, on April 10. The number of mentally-ill patients in Korea has reached half a million, excluding alcoholics, and there are more than 60,000 patients who are currently being treated in mental hospitals today. They are not in a position to fight back when their human rights are violated.
The purpose of visiting to the mental hospital was to learn more about hospitalization practices and listen to mentally-ill patients’ opinions on site. When visiting the hospital, the executive board of the Korean Association of Mental Hospitals (KAMH) discussed the human rights of persons with mental disabilites. Mr. Ahn said, “There have been many complaints filed with the NHRCK regarding the process of hospitalization and discharge of patients, and we have found that mental hospitals are not in compliance with standard procedure. The hospitalization of patients without a guardian or proper identification limits the patients’ rights. Chief Commissioner also discussed the closed operation of the hospital units, compulsive laboring under the name of occupational therapy, and separated classification for alcohol patient and the mentally disabled with mental hospital officials.
KAMH officials responded that all of the issues addressed have been improved or are currently being improved. They also said " the separated accommodation of alcohol patients and the mentally disabled has yet to be implemented under the realistic situation." The KAMH emphasized that more than 80% of mental patients are subject persons of medical protection, but with the lack of interest from the government and their guardians, they would have hard time readjusting to society after being discharged. “We need to establish institutions for the mentally disabled and rehabilitation centers to help patients reintegrate into society.” Mr. Ahn said, “most mental patients need basic welfare protection, and if they have a job after being discharged, they would not receive the basic living subsidy that their guardians may not gain employment.“
The KAMH said that whenever a crime occurs in a region, the authorities demand a full list of mental patients. The personal information of patients needs to be protected and the NHRCK plans to remedy the situation. With regard to the complaints filed with the NHRCK, the KAMH said that a more flexible investigation process must be developed and that mental hospitals must respect the human rights of mental patients.
Chief Commissioner said, “An improvement in human rights for the mentally disabled is one of the 10 major tasks of the NHRCK this year, and I will see to it personally because I am the chair of the special committee for the mentally disabled. Unlike the physically disabled, mentally disabled patients are neglected by society and the NHRCK and the KAMH will work hard to protect their rights.”
The NHRCK has been visiting ‘sites of human rights’ every month to directly contact socially disadvataged groups and minority groups in the dark zone of human rights.
